Staffordshire County Council is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker to join our team at the HM Youth Offending Institute (YOI) Werrington, situated in the picturesque district of the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Key Responsibilities
* Offer a full induction to the young person, explaining the social work role and ensuring they receive all the support they need.
* Arrange forums, induct new staff, and explain the social work role within the YOI.
* Be visible and see the boys to promote their well‑being and ensure their voice is heard.
* Advise Senior Youth Custody Service (YCS) Managers on all child protection issues, both legal and practice issues.
* Advise and support the safeguarding team on making child protection (s47) or child in need (s17) referrals to the relevant authority when appropriate.
* Process referrals to Staffordshire’s referral team – Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door Service (SCAS).
* Screen use of force (UOF) restraints and attend Review of Restraint meetings.
* Work with the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) and the establishment Child Protection Coordinator where there are allegations against staff (voluntary and paid employees/volunteers).
* Assist in the development and updating of children’s safeguarding policies and procedures within the establishment.
* Have oversight of asset information to determine whether they are CLA, LASPO, relevant, former relevant.
* Document information on SBAR and WRM for child exploitation.
* Support placement referrals to Secure Children’s Home (SCH), Secure Training Centre (STC) and other YOI’s.
* Lise and have input with resettlement, health, mental health, psychologist teams.
* Attend Children in Care Reviews.
* Support and escape where placements aren’t available at release.
* Liaise with other Local Authorities, parents and external agencies.
* Offer safeguarding training to Youth Justice Workers.
Ideal Candidate
* You will need a professional social work qualification with Social Work England registration.
* Post qualifying experience in Child Protection in the UK and, ideally, experience working in a HM Youth Offending Institute environment. For the right candidate it is not a necessity to have worked in a custodial environment as full training will be given.
For more information and an informal chat please contact Team Manager Angela Cooke on 01538 483129 or angela.cooke1@staffordshire.gov.uk, or Jonathan Parkes, Head of Safeguarding Youth Custody Service HMYOI Werrington at JONATHAN.PARKES1@justice.gov.uk.
If you are invited for an interview we would also like to offer you the opportunity on Wednesday 21st January 2026 for a familiarisation visit, offering opportunity to experience Werrington, meet the team and ask any questions prior to interview. The interview date is Friday 23rd January 2026.
Seniority level
* Mid‑Senior level
Employment type
* Full‑time
Job function
* Other
* Human Resources Services
Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers – we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
As part of our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults, a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service is required. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
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